Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith will again face a courtroom trial in a felony case — this time in Rankin County.

Rankin County Judge John Emfinger denied attorney John Reeves' efforts to dismiss a domestic violence, stalking and robbery case against Smith.

The charges stem from a dispute in August 2015 between Smith and a former girlfriend. Smith allegedly took the woman's handgun — hence the robbery charge — grabbed her and threw her against a counter, pointed a gun at her and made threatening comments.

On Monday, Reeves and Assistant Attorney General Stanley Alexander argued the merits of the case before Emfinger.

Reeves questioned Rankin County District Attorney Michael Guest, who said his office didn't pick up the case because of unsubstantial evidence for an aggravated assault charge.

"In our opinion it didn't rise to the level of aggravated assault, which requires serious bodily injury," Guest said. "It appeared to be more of a misdemeanor in nature."

Guest, however, disputed a key point of Reeve's motion — that Guest "neither requested nor consented to the involvement of the attorney general" in the prosecution of Smith.

"It's common practice for the attorney general's office to present cases in this district. I have no objection," he said.

The trial is scheduled for Oct. 23 in Rankin County Justice Court.

The AG's office has had Smith in its sights on at least two other occasions.

The office failed to make its case in two attempts before Hinds County juries to convict Smith of conspiracy to hinder prosecution.